by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks' offensive troubles are akin to a group of master chefs suddenly not knowing their way around the kitchen.

The team that led the Western Conference in goals by a significant margin is now struggling to find the net. They have managed only two goals over the past three games against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard.

"When you're just not getting the bounces and you're playing well, doing a lot of things right, you just can't explain it," said Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. "It's another thing if you're not playing hard and you're not battling. But that's not the case with our team right now."

If the Blackhawks can't re-ignite offense Saturday in Game 5 in Chicago (8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network), they could become the latest Presidents' Trophy to fail to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings lead 3-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal.

Undoubtedly, Howard's sharpness is playing a role in Chicago's struggles. Over these three games, Howard has stopped 86 of 88 shots. That's a .977 save percentage.

Howard believes it is Detroit's overall effort that has strangled the Blackhawks' offense.

"We're doing a great job of getting above them, cutting them off, not letting them come with speed," Howard said. "Another huge thing is we're taking care of the puck."

In Game 4, the Red Wings did a good of moving the puck out of their zone and getting the puck deep into Chicago's zone. "It's slowing them down a little bit," Howard said.

The Blackhawks are 3-for-25 (12%) on the power play in these playoffs. They were at 16.7% during the regular season.

"We've got to find a way to sustain some momentum and get some pucks to the net.," Sharp said. "Raise our intensity level. We've got to outwork their four guys and right now we're not doing that and not coming up with a whole lot on the power play."

The Blackhawks are feeling as if they have no puck luck.

"Lot of post," Sharp said. "Lot of big saves by Jimmy (Howard). We knew he's a good goaltender before the series and he's making big saves out there. There's no use hanging our heads about it. The only thing we can do is play better the next game."

Meanwhile, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews still doesn't have a goal during the playoffs. He had a hat trick of penalties in the second period, one of which led to a Detroit power-play goal.

"We'd like to keep him in the box," said Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. "He's not as good for them in the box."

The Red Wings believe their key has been simply to battle as if their future depended upon it.

"We are competing at a high, high level," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.

Blackhawks players say they believe they are playing well.

"I think we played OK," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "And we've just got to find a way to get more out of everybody."